Hame-tug



(No Model.) 7 T. A. MOGRANAHAN.

HAMB TUG.-

Patented Nov. 16, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT .Orrica THOMAS A. MCGRANAHAN, OF NEWHALL, IOWA.

HA M E-TU'G.

SI ECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,626, dated November 16, 1886.

Application filed August 14, 1886. Serial No. 210,914.

' and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit pertains to make and use it,-reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in ha'me-tugs; and it consists in the combination of the draft-rod having an attachment upon its front end to connect it with the hame, the Ushaped rod, which is loosely connected to the draft-rod, and upon which the springsare placed, the rod which is connected to the tug-- buckle, the plate or plates against which the ends of the springs bear, and the strap which is applied to the inner sides of the different parts, so as to prevent them from injuring the horse, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter; I

The object of my invention is to provide a spring attachment which is to be connected directly to the hame, so that the strain in starting willloeapplied gradually to the horses, and thus prevent them from becoming hurt or injured in any way, and making it easier for them to start a load.

Figurelisan edge view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

A represents the draft rod, which is pro; vided with a loop, B, upon its front end for the attachment to the hanies. The rear end of this rod A is connected loosely to the U-shaped rod 0, upoii the prongs of which the two springs D are placed.

Over the screw-threaded ends of the two prongs of the rod 0 is passeda bearing-plate, F, against which the ends of the springs bear. This plate can be adjusted back and forth uponv theprongs of the rod O by means of the nuts F, for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the tension of the springs, as may be desired. Also, passed over the prongs of the rod 0 is a plate, H, which bears against the (No model.)

front ends of the springs, and to which plate is rigidly connected the-rod I, which is connected at its rear end to the tug buckle orloop L. Secured to this rod is a cross-plate or ears,

N, to which the strap P is rigidly secured atthis point. When the draft comes upon the rods A, O, and I, the d raft is transferred by the sliding movement of the rods upon thesprings until the springs have become compressed to their greatest degree, when the draft again falls upon the rods. As the rods give under the compression of the springs the draft is gradually brought to bear upon the hames, and through them upon the horses shoulders, without any jerk or jar to the horse. Asthe springs are gradually compressed the strain of starting the load is gradually brought to bear upon the horses shoulders, and thus thestarting of a load is made much easier in every respect.

Secured to the inner side of the devices is the strap P, which is sufficiently wide to prevent any of the parts coming in direct contact with the horse and thus injuring him. The front end of this strap is provided with a guiding-loop, S, which catches over the draftbar and allows the front end of the strap to move freely back and forth as the device hecomes lengthened or shortened while in operation. By means of this construction the strap is prevented from doubling, and thus chafing and rubbing the horse by the movement of the parts to which the strap is connected. -At the other end of this device the strap is rigidly connected to different parts at two different points, so that the front end alone allows the movable parts to adjust themselves in relation to it. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination of a draft attachment, constructed. substantially. as shown and described, with a strap which is immovably fastened to the device at one end, and which is provided at the other end with a loop for the draft'rod to pass through, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the draft-rod provided with a loop upon its front end for'attechment to the heme, the U-shaped rod, In testimony whereofl aflix my signature which is loosely connected to the draft-rod, in presence of two witnesses. v

the movable plate for the ends of the springs to bear against, the adjusting-nuts, and the THOMAS A. MCGRANAHAN.

rod I, which has a tug-buckle attached to its rear end and a plate for the springs to bear Witnessesz. I against secured to its front end, substantially ANDREW MITCHELL as shown and described. I JAMES C. TUCKER. 

